Footscray factory fire: Mum and teenage daughter named as squatters killed in fatal blaze

A MOTHER and her 15-year-old daughter have been identified as the two female squatters who tragically died in a Footscray factory fire late last week.

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A MOTHER and her 15-year-old daughter have been identified as the two female squatters who tragically died in a Footscray factory fire late last week.

Darren Patrick Clover allegedly killed Tanya and Zoe Elizabeth Burmeister, along with an unidentified male, when he set alight the former Kinnears rope factory on Ballarat Rd at 11.30pm on Wednesday.

Tanya Burmeister’s sister, Shaylee Tennyson, held back tears as she told the Sunday Herald Sun that her much-loved niece was just a few weeks shy of celebrating her 16th birthday.

Ms Tennyson said she was struggling to comprehend the loss of Zoe, an empathetic girl who went out of her way to make sure people never felt alone.

Tanya and Zoe Burmeister. Picture: Supplied

Zoe Burmeister, who died in Footscray fire. Picture: Supplied

“Zoe was extremely loving, she had an infectious laugh, she was intelligent and she was just so beautiful,” she said.

“She had a love for life, she was funny, bubbly, articulate, athletic, an artist and loved reading books.

“All she ever wanted to do was make her mum proud. She had so much potential, which was stolen from her. We just want her back.”

Despite running into some trouble in recent years, Zoe was also ­remembered as a caring and considerate young girl who wanted to be loved by all.

Ms Burmeister, 32, gave birth to Zoe as a 15-year-old and the pair shared an “indescribable” bond.

“Zoe was her best friend and she had so much hope for her, but unfortunately she made some poor life decisions, “ Ms Tennyson said.

Forensic experts at the scene of the fire. Picture: Hamish Blair

Ms Burmeister had an extensive history of drug use and had dated a number of violent men, causing her to lose custody of Zoe in 2012. However, Ms Tennyson, who cared for Zoe for a number of years, said she didn’t hold her sister accountable for the girl’s death.

“I don’t blame my sister at all, I pity her and I feel sorry for her,” Ms Tennyson said. “No matter what anybody has ever said about my sister, she really loved and did the best that she could.”

While Zoe was meant to be living with a carer, she had recently been squatting in the abandoned factory where she and her mother had “made a home for themselves”.

“I have never met a child in my life that loved her mother more than Zoe loved hers,” Ms Tennyson said.

“She would have walked from here to Mars to be with her. I guess all I can say is that they’re together now, and that’s all they ever wanted to be, together forever.”

It is not known how long Zoe was missing, although she had enrolled to start at a new high school just a few weeks before her death.

Police and firefighters are investigating the cause of the blaze. Picture: Hamish Blair

Ms Tennyson said she felt that Zoe’s death could have been prevented had the Department of Human Services intervened and put her into secure welfare.

“My sister made her decisions, but Zoe was an innocent girl, the department were meant to protect her from her mother who she loved so much.”

Ms Tennyson wants someone to admit they failed her niece, saying she had raised a number of concerns about Zoe’s welfare with child ­protective services that went ­unanswered. “How many families have to go through this ­before you change your system?

“It’s broken, it’s fractured and it’s traumatised and it’s not working.

“The procedures need to be overhauled and more staff need to be hired.

“If it was effective Zoe would still be here in secure welfare, not dead in a squat she was living in.”

The Department of Health and Human Services said it would be inappropriate to comment given there is an ongoing criminal ­investigation.

Mr Clover has been charged with three counts of murder, arson causing death and arson.

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